|state=collapsed to show the template in its collapsed state, i.e. hidden apart from its titlebar – e.g. {{Colleges and universities in California |state=collapsed}};

|state=expanded to show the template in its expanded state, i.e. fully visible – e.g. {{Colleges and universities in California |state=expanded}};

|state=autocollapse to show the template in its collapsed state but only if there is another template of the same type on the page – e.g. {{Colleges and universities in California |state=autocollapse}}.

Unless set otherwise (see the state parameter in the template's code), the template's default state is autocollapse.